Help with behavioral problem

Status
Not open for further replies.
Squalliesmom

Squalliesmom

Member Since 2015
I just got pretty savagely bitten by one of my civvies while I was sealing up a bag of treats and trying to put them away. She has nipped me before over treats but she has never done this. She got ahold of my finger and just wouldn't stop biting. She has also bitten the bags the treats come in. Does anybody have any ideas as to how I can stop this behavior? My kids want me to re-home her - she did bite me repeatedly and really badly - but I don't want to do that to her. But I can't have her biting me like that, and I have to have treats around for Squallie for testing, etc. I am really upset and just don't know what to do to keep this from happening again.
 
Wow! I've never had this problem. Is he around your other cat when he does this? Maybe try putting his in a dish in a separate room while you tend to Squallie?
 
I wonder if there's something about the noise that sets him off?

Maybe try dumping the treats into some other container (like a Tupperware bowl with lid) and see if it make any difference

Make sure you take care of those bites! Cat bites send a lot of people to the hospital for IV antibiotics!
 
StephG said:
Wow! I've never had this problem. Is he around your other cat when he does this? Maybe try putting his in a dish in a separate room while you tend to Squallie?
Click to expand...

That may be what I have to resort to.

Chris & China said:
I wonder if there's something about the noise that sets him off?

Maybe try dumping the treats into some other container (like a Tupperware bowl with lid) and see if it make any difference

Make sure you take care of those bites! Cat bites send a lot of people to the hospital for IV antibiotics!
Click to expand...
She is a treat freak - I have to keep them where she can't get to them or she shreds the bags and eats them all. She can open plastic containers, too, and has actually bitten through some of them. She bit me because she wanted the treats I was putting away. In her defense, I'll say I hope she thought she was biting the treats and not me, but I can't be certain of that.

Chris, I soaked the bites in peroxide and put triple antibiotic on them, then covered them with a gauze wrap. I have never had this many bites at one time! Maybe I should see if my doctor will call in some ABs for me.
 
Have you thought of using one of the toys that makes them "work" for the treat? Put her treats in it while she's not in the room or when you're locked in a room away from her then tossing that down for her to work at? Keeping her occupied while tending to Squallie and hopefully when you're putting the treats away?
 
My worst problem with treats was my angel kitty, Bubba. He would scarf down his treats and bite the others in the butt or tail then scarf up theirs. Piggy! He never did any harm. Just nipped them enough to scare them away.
 
StephG said:
Have you thought of using one of the toys that makes them "work" for the treat? Put her treats in it while she's not in the room or when you're locked in a room away from her then tossing that down for her to work at? Keeping her occupied while tending to Squallie and hopefully when you're putting the treats away?
Click to expand...
That's a good idea! Thanks!

StephG said:
My worst problem with treats was my angel kitty, Bubba. He would scarf down his treats and bite the others in the butt or tail then scarf up theirs. Piggy! He never did any harm. Just nipped them enough to scare them away.
Click to expand...
She has attacked Squallie several times when he has gotten treats and she hasn't, or even if she has but has finished them. And I do mean attacked, no playful nipping.
 
JanetNJ said:
I got bit once. Within an hour my hand was twice it's size. Had to go to the er.
Click to expand...
STrangely, my finger hasn't (yet) swelled much. But boy, does it hurt! Can't bend it, either. I have a DR's appointment this afternoon so he can look at it and tell me I need ABs.
 
Definitely be careful with those kitty bites. My step dad had the same thing as Janet happen with another kitty (GA) and had to take him to the ER. As a natural deterrent for most cats (can't say all cats:cat: ) you can try citrus scents. If you try putting the treats in a plastic container like Chris and China suggested, rub the outside with a lemon, lime, grapefruit, or orange peel. I was going to say maybe a wipe but a straight fruit shouldn't have any chemicals in case she does chew. :)
 
We're taking in Lewis tomorrow. Don't know if it's an Alpha-cat thing or a medical problem that's making him so cranky. There is always a reason and often one you've never thought of.
 
JanetNJ said:
They have me a tetanus shot and ab
Click to expand...
They wanted to give me a tetanus shot but I have to have human-immune tetanus because I am allergic to the regular stuff. When I told them that they just looked at me like maybe I had three heads and kept on rolling, never offered to get me or send me for the human-immune! Maybe it's time for a new doctor!
 
Noah & me said:
We're taking in Lewis tomorrow. Don't know if it's an Alpha-cat thing or a medical problem that's making him so cranky. There is always a reason and often one you've never thought of.
Click to expand...
This cat is a rescue from a terrible hoarding situation, I'm sure that is at the root of the problem.
 
Squalliesmom said:
I'm sure that is at the root of the problem.
Click to expand...
When I laid eyes on Marco, a six year old male, he was our local pet food store, a promo they do with the local shelter. The next morning we were at the shelter. I picked him up, no problem. Then I went for phase two, flipped him over for a tummy rub, no problem. We didn't even have to fill out the questionnaire. BUT, the first time he saw a squirt bottle he ran for his life. Like the hoarding, they will never forget. Marco is quite happy now in his forever home.
 
Noah & me said:
When I laid eyes on Marco, a six year old male, he was our local pet food store, a promo they do with the local shelter. The next morning we were at the shelter. I picked him up, no problem. Then I went for phase two, flipped him over for a tummy rub, no problem. We didn't even have to fill out the questionnaire. BUT, the first time he saw a squirt bottle he ran for his life. Like the hoarding, they will never forget. Marco is quite happy now in his forever home.
Click to expand...

I got my girl when she was about 10 months old, and very underweight, with digestive issues. When the rescue people took her out of where she was living there were over 30 cats there. She has always been something of a biter, she bites the other cats and they are scared of her. But she has never bitten me like that, until last night. When she knows there are treats around, she becomes a shark in a feeding frenzy; I'm sure she didn't even know it was my finger she was biting. However, I need to ensure that there are no repeat performances of this behavior.
 
Squalliesmom said:
This cat is a rescue from a terrible hoarding situation, I'm sure that is at the root of the problem.
Click to expand...
Have you ever tried Feliway plug-ins? One of my cats is an issue.... I think there's something chemically imbalanced in her....like bi-polar. (This is the one that bit me) and feliway makes
A noticeable difference in her anxiety level. She is less hyper reactive.
 
JanetNJ said:
Have you ever tried Feliway plug-ins? One of my cats is an issue.... I think there's something chemically imbalanced in her....like bi-polar. (This is the one that bit me) and feliway makes
A noticeable difference in her anxiety level. She is less hyper reactive.
Click to expand...
I have used it, yes. It doesn't seem to have much effect on her, but it definitely helps my anxious boy (who is anxious because of her!).
 
I hate to say this but Lewis is not the smartest cat I've ever owned. There's another thing to consider about cats being in the wild for thousands of years; every meal could be their last. In the wild, you snooze, you lose! Life is tough and that's one behavior a big warm bed and kindness will not curb. There's nothing wrong with his hearing. Pop open a can and he knows the difference between soup and cat food. Punishment is not the answer.
 
JanetNJ said:
It doesn't seem to effect my other cats much, but does affect my Julie. I can always tell when the plug in had run out!
Click to expand...
It really seems to help my poor little boy's anxiety - he is much more relaxed when I use the diffuser. Like you, I can always tell when it has run out, just by his behavior!
 
She got me again! Same finger. And this time, it was very clear - she was going for my finger with intent, there was no "mistaking my finger for a treat." I don't know what I'm going to do about her! I love her and don't want to have to rehome her and, besides, who would adopt a know biter? This has got to stop, though, these bites are serious, deep and painful. I wonder if a cat behaviorist could help? Has anybody here used one?
 
Yong said:
What were you doing? Had you handled any food and maybe she smelled it?
Click to expand...
I had just tested Squallie and had given him his customary treat; she was there so I gave her one, too. As I was closing the bag and putting it away she lunged forward and grabbed my forefinger with her teeth, and bit down hard. She didn't want to let go, either, she hung onto my hand for at least 30 seconds. It was very clear that she was going for my hand and not the bag of treats, as I had previously surmised.
 
Where do you keep the kitty treats? We have to put ours in a high kitchen cabinet to keep the civvies from ripping open the bag. I just checked with different vets in my area to find a cat behaviorist for my mom's cat. He would walk around yowling and she barely got any sleep. My mom ended up having to get meds for anxiety for him. It sounds like your civvie has food aggression issues
 
Yikes!! That sounds painful!! Gosh, that's a tough one. I'd definitely consider consulting a behaviorist if you can find one or an Animal communicator if you're open to that, to get to the bottom of why she is doing this and how the behavior can be corrected.
For now though, I think some of the suggestions you got are good ones... I especially like the "treat toy" idea so she has to work for the treats and hopefully, it will keep her occupied. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Sending :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
Where do you keep the kitty treats? We have to put ours in a high kitchen cabinet to keep the civvies from ripping open the bag. I just checked with different vets in my area to find a cat behaviorist for my mom's cat. He would walk around yowling and she barely got any sleep. My mom ended up having to get meds for anxiety for him. It sounds like your civvie has food aggression issues
Click to expand...
I keep some of them in a kitchen cabinet, inside a jar with a screw-on lid; she found them up there and shredded the bags, hence the jar, now. I also keep some in a metal tin, inside a heavy tapestry satchel that zips closed. It was when I was putting those away that she bit me, both times.
 
Donna and Flame said:
Yikes!! That sounds painful!! Gosh, that's a tough one. I'd definitely consider consulting a behaviorist if you can find one or an Animal communicator if you're open to that, to get to the bottom of why she is doing this and how the behavior can be corrected.
For now though, I think some of the suggestions you got are good ones... I especially like the "treat toy" idea so she has to work for the treats and hopefully, it will keep her occupied. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Sending :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
Thanks, Donna! I am very open to just about anything at this point. I will keep updating! :):bighug::cat:
 
Donna and Flame said:
How is your hand today? Are you OK? Any more incidents? Sure hope not! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
It's really sore today. No more incidents, thankfully! :bighug:
Lisa and Smoky said:
There is a top renowned animal behaviorist who specializes in cats. You can do a phone consult with her for $325 for two hours includes a care plan and follow up emails. She wrote a book called " The cat whisperer" in 2013. The authors name is Mieshelle Nagelschneider.
http://www.thecatbehaviorclinic.com
Click to expand...
I was just looking at her book on Amazon! :)
 
Yep me too. My mom and I want to get her book.
I fostered a semi feral cat for a few months and she would jump out and bite my ankles when I walked by her.
Why is it that cat scratches and bites are so very painful?
I'm glad your hand is alright, I have known a few people who had to get stitches from a cat bite.
 
I don't have any good suggestions for her biting habit but I do have one for the bite them selves. Make a charcoal compress from equal amounts ground flax and activated charcoal powder, mix in sufficient hot water to make thick paste then wrap in gauze (or paper towel) and put on the bite.
Activated charcoal is great at drawing out poisons and can also be used internally.
 
I get tiny bags of activated charcoal for my aquarium, not expensive at all. There was an earlier post about how nasty a cat bite can be. My vet of 12 years told me a cat's mouth is one of the filthiest things on Earth, and yes she loves cats. Noah's brother Andrew needed to give a blood sample years ago. He was highly stressed and under any other condition we would have delayed the procedure but he was at death's door and it had to be done. That was the first time I saw "the hood" and also the only time I was needed in the exam room because four people could not get Andrew still enough for the procedure. He bit a tech so hard she went to emergency and they gave her an IV bag, then left the shunt in and scheduled her the next day for a second IV bag. That is now referred to as "The Incident" at my vets office. The point being that any cat bite can be serious.
THE TREATS... Lewis is a pig, no regard for other cats etc. We keep our treats in a sealed container in the fridge and I have to open that tin in the washroom or he will hear it from the 3rd floor. He eats for the sake of eating and will bite me very hard for looking at him the wrong way. He's never been smacked or whacked but I have had to spray him. After a few months of showing him the bottle he realized I wasn't spraying him so he left me no choice. For me the miniature whack on the bridge of the nose and a spray bottle are last resorts.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top